Chapter 37: Accidental Injury

T/N:

Heikou (Black Dragon Mouth)

Heicheng (Black Dragon City)

...

There was another reason why the citizens of the city were even more excited about the New Year—the Demon King was returning.

They didn't know the exact date, only that the Demon King usually returned to the palace one night, accepted their greetings the next day, and then went out hunting.

Of course, Yin Jixue had no idea that the royal chef had come looking for her. This chef had also been brought back by the Demon King. According to Feng Xiu, he had once been very skilled, though the details were vague.

Yin Jixue wasn't one to stand on ceremony, so she took the initiative to chat with the chef.

"Are you here for some exercise?"

She couldn't think of any other reason. It wasn't like he was here to see her.

In the demon realm, she was only familiar with the living quarters, her renovated studio, and the laboratory. She hadn't ventured anywhere else.

The chef had a lot on his mind but ultimately didn't say anything, simply shaking his head. "Just passing by."

Yin Jixue closed the window. Passing by?

Where could he possibly be passing by from the living quarters?

But since he had been brought back by the Demon King and the guards hadn't objected, she didn't dwell on it.

With the New Year approaching, the first literacy class was about to take its final exams. After the New Year, military training would resume, and after a short break, work would begin again.

The Imperial Censorate needed to conduct a census and recalculate working hours, converting them into contribution points at a 1:1 ratio for easier management.

Additionally, the Imperial Censorate had to conduct field surveys outside the city, allocating land to low-level demons who couldn't work, aiming to maximize the use of the vast barren land around Black Dragon City.

Since this was the first final exam, Yin Jixue also made an appearance, placing the Memory Stone in the center of the lectern.

The invigilator, Mr. Nan Lü, gloated, "This is the Memory Stone. Your exams will be recorded and later played on the screening platform. Do yourselves proud and don't peek at others' papers."

The candidates, who had been entertaining some sneaky ideas, immediately abandoned them, even feeling a sense of dread. If not for Mr. Nan Lü's warning, their actions would have been broadcast for all to see. They wouldn't be able to hold their heads up if their children saw them cheating.

Some candidates felt immense pressure, wishing they had worn their best animal hide clothes today. They tried to cover the holes in their sleeves while writing, not wanting to be caught on camera.

Everyone had their thoughts, writing their exams while trying to put on a good show. They all watched the screening platform daily, and who wouldn't want to be praised by others?

Lian Ze, that kid, had been the talk of the town recently, with everyone praising him. If their children couldn't measure up, the adults had to step up and earn some respect.

The exam proceeded smoothly, and after watching for a while, Yin Jixue left.

The literacy class, which had lasted just over a month, wasn't particularly long. At the very least, the students had learned the multiplication table and basic arithmetic, and they were familiar with common characters. Future classes wouldn't focus on basics anymore; they'd move on to specialized subjects.

Before she knew it, she had arrived at the open-air screening platform—the LED screen that the system had rewarded her with.

It was looping footage of the children doing calisthenics. Day after day, the same scenes played, yet the audience never seemed to tire of it, watching out of sheer curiosity.

The children, innocent and carefree, had filled out a bit. They no longer looked like malnourished refugees.

After handling the last of her tasks, Yin Jixue stretched. Tomorrow was a holiday, and even as the Queen, she didn't want to work overtime.

A pair of delicate red lanterns hung at the entrance of her living quarters, adding a festive New Year atmosphere.

Yin Jixue didn't particularly like New Year celebrations. While others celebrated family reunions, she had never experienced the joy of sitting down for a meal with her entire family.

Recalling the day she had married into the demon realm, there had been no formal wedding ceremony. The groom himself hadn't been present, and the demons didn't have the custom of a ceremonial bowing.

Feng Xiu had mentioned that demon weddings were quite primitive. Most couples simply wore new clothes, celebrated with friends and family, and then retired to their chambers.

The only exception was the Qingluan Clan, likely due to their female Demon King.

On the day of her marriage, aside from the Demon King's absence, the palace had been decorated with lanterns and red banners—already the grandest celebration the Demon realm could muster.

Thinking about it, it made sense. In such an impoverished place like Black Dragon City, gathering a hundred or so lanterns couldn't have been easy.

As usual, she finished her bath, and the living quarters fell silent. She didn't like being attended to during her baths, so Feng Xiu and Ruo Shui would come in beforehand to refill the hot water.

A faint noise came from the doorway, and Yin Jixue immediately went on alert, reaching for a hairpin on her dressing table.

It couldn't be the maids. Both maids would announce themselves before entering, knowing that surprising Yin Jixue wasn't a good idea.

Yin Jixue quickly tied up her hair and tucked it into her clothes, ignoring the fact that it was still dripping wet.

She gripped the hairpin tightly. She had been careless—her dagger wasn't by her side but in the adjacent study.

She could hear faint footsteps, growing closer. Yin Jixue hid behind the curtains.

As the sound approached, she pushed the curtain toward the intruder's face, attempting to cover their head and use the hairpin to target a vital point.

But the other person was faster. In a flash, they were behind her, gripping her neck from behind.

Yin Jixue stomped down hard with her foot, but the intruder dodged effortlessly, leaving her attack futile.

The intruder was stronger than her.

Her heart sank. She hadn't even seen the intruder's face.

Instead, she was the one struggling to breathe, on the verge of passing out.

"Huh? Little bean sprout?"

A familiar voice came from behind, and the hand around her neck loosened.

Yin Jixue turned around, her fair neck now marked with clear fingerprints, evidence of the intruder's deadly grip.

She tried to speak, but her throat burned with pain. "Cough, cough…"

Lou Zhao felt a pang of guilt. He had thought the little girl was asleep and had entered quietly. How could he have known she'd be so alert, making him think there was an intruder in the palace?

Yin Jixue glared at him but didn't make a fuss. If she were in his position, she would have fought back too. But who sneaks into their own home like that?

Lou Zhao knew he was in the wrong. He had used too much force and didn't dare to help her directly, so he called for the maids to handle it.

Feng Xiu was delighted to see the Demon King, but Lou Zhao simply instructed her to attend to the Queen while he remained standing at the door.

Could it be that a little prince or princess was on the way?

But when Feng Xiu saw Yin Jixue sitting on the bed, her expression changed drastically, and she hurried over.

"Your Highness, what happened?" Feng Xiu knelt, gently massaging Yin Jixue's neck. Once the bruising had subsided somewhat, she quickly brought over some water.

Yin Jixue finally managed to speak. "The King returned and made some noise. I thought he was an intruder, so we fought. It was an accident."

Feng Xiu clenched her sleeves and whispered, "The King was too heavy-handed."

Yin Jixue was surprised. Feng Xiu was the Demon King's person, yet she was siding with her.

Seeing that Yin Jixue was fine, Feng Xiu dried her hair and brought her a change of clothes.

She worked in silence, her movements careful and gentle.

"Your clothes are damp from your hair. Change before you sleep."

Yin Jixue smiled softly. "I'm fine. Don't worry."

Feng Xiu bit her lower lip. The Demon King was someone she had sworn to protect with her life, yet he had harmed the Queen she was also tasked with guarding.

Lou Zhao entered. "You may leave."

Feng Xiu glanced worriedly at Yin Jixue, who nodded. "Go ahead. It's fine."

Once Feng Xiu left, Lou Zhao chuckled. "She's quite loyal to you."

Yin Jixue looked at him calmly. "Don't you have anything to say?"

While she understood why the Demon King had fought back, the feeling of suffocation had been all too real.

Lou Zhao shrugged. "This was my mistake. What do you want as compensation? I'll give it to you."

Yin Jixue suddenly felt uncomfortable. Her tone turned cold. "Nothing. I'm going to sleep now."